Crisis in Turkey's republic

How will Turkey survive this latest round of political instability?

Since the founding of Turkey's Republic in 1923 the military has acted as the ultimate protector of the country's constitution and the nation's secular status - overthrowing four governments since 1960.

But has that changed with the arrest of more than 40 military officials earlier this week?

Among those arrested seven have already been charged with taking part in the so-called 2003 "Sledgehammer" plot to overthrow the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister.

The military's general staff headquarters has called the arrests "very serious" and government critics say they are aimed at removing the prime minister's political opponents.